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Has there ever been a tighter, more open race for the flag? The final eight looks set, so to be polite I am going through all eight sides but only think 6 are a realistic chances.
#1 Cats
Yes they drop 'easy' games but in such an even comp, I am looking at how sides go against the best. The Cats have won their last 5 against Top 8 opposition. Currently in 2nd, I predict them to stay in the top 2. Would mean not having to leave Victoria. They play the Swans, Crows and Dogs at Simmonds. Massive. Three 8 point games at home.
#2 GWS
GWS at Spotless > anyone, anywhere. Currently in 3rd and they have a soft draw. I predict them to finish top 2. Spotless QF and PF would be a virtual red carpet to the Grand Final. Inexperience, especially at the MCG, could be very telling.
#3 Hawks
Looks nuts to have top of the ladder Hawthorn in 3rd but bare with me. Their low percentage makes winning and losing a massive game of snakes and ladders. A couple of difficult road trips against Sydney and West Coast (You can add Port too). They are also 0-3 vs Top 4 sides this season. I see them finishing outside the top 2 (massive if drawn against interstate side). They will probably have too much composure against 2nd tier gun sides but think the truly elite will be a bit too much for the old champs.
Upside is they could finish 3rd/4th and get 'away' final at the MCG. Luck so massive in such a tight race.
#4 Swans
Been there, done that element hard to resist but loss to Dogs massive. Means they are a game off top 2 and chance to drop out of top 4 altogether. Injury to Kurt Tippett really, really hurts.
Like the Hawks they can be drawn in an away/neutral final if they finish finish 3rd/4th and are drawn against the Giants.
#5 Crows
That forward line can cause issues for even if they have to travel against elite opposition. Percentage means they are probably a game away fro top 2 but have a soft draw. I think they really need to finish top 2 to be a strong chance though as they don't have Hawks/Swans advantage of possibly not having to travel.
#6 Bulldogs
Like the Starks in the Battle of the Bastards, it's great to have added cavalry arriving. Like the Hawks, our low percentage means we need to win an extra game. I see us as either finishing top 2 or 5-6 due to snakes and ladders way of our having high/lower percentage. If our 22 is near full strength, we are in with a shot. Landing 'away' MCG final in QF or PF would be nice!
#7 North
Have runs on the board but soft draw now as hard as it gets. Injuries also hurting them. With lots of luck, they could find themselves in a series of 'away' MCG finals but even them, do not rate them vs the best.
#8 Eagles
Traveling ain't easy.
#1 Cats
Yes they drop 'easy' games but in such an even comp, I am looking at how sides go against the best. The Cats have won their last 5 against Top 8 opposition. Currently in 2nd, I predict them to stay in the top 2. Would mean not having to leave Victoria. They play the Swans, Crows and Dogs at Simmonds. Massive. Three 8 point games at home.
#2 GWS
GWS at Spotless > anyone, anywhere. Currently in 3rd and they have a soft draw. I predict them to finish top 2. Spotless QF and PF would be a virtual red carpet to the Grand Final. Inexperience, especially at the MCG, could be very telling.
#3 Hawks
Looks nuts to have top of the ladder Hawthorn in 3rd but bare with me. Their low percentage makes winning and losing a massive game of snakes and ladders. A couple of difficult road trips against Sydney and West Coast (You can add Port too). They are also 0-3 vs Top 4 sides this season. I see them finishing outside the top 2 (massive if drawn against interstate side). They will probably have too much composure against 2nd tier gun sides but think the truly elite will be a bit too much for the old champs.
Upside is they could finish 3rd/4th and get 'away' final at the MCG. Luck so massive in such a tight race.
#4 Swans
Been there, done that element hard to resist but loss to Dogs massive. Means they are a game off top 2 and chance to drop out of top 4 altogether. Injury to Kurt Tippett really, really hurts.
Like the Hawks they can be drawn in an away/neutral final if they finish finish 3rd/4th and are drawn against the Giants.
#5 Crows
That forward line can cause issues for even if they have to travel against elite opposition. Percentage means they are probably a game away fro top 2 but have a soft draw. I think they really need to finish top 2 to be a strong chance though as they don't have Hawks/Swans advantage of possibly not having to travel.
#6 Bulldogs
Like the Starks in the Battle of the Bastards, it's great to have added cavalry arriving. Like the Hawks, our low percentage means we need to win an extra game. I see us as either finishing top 2 or 5-6 due to snakes and ladders way of our having high/lower percentage. If our 22 is near full strength, we are in with a shot. Landing 'away' MCG final in QF or PF would be nice!
#7 North
Have runs on the board but soft draw now as hard as it gets. Injuries also hurting them. With lots of luck, they could find themselves in a series of 'away' MCG finals but even them, do not rate them vs the best.
#8 Eagles
Traveling ain't easy.
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